How Can I Move Program Files Folder to Another Drive Windows 10, 8, 7?

“Are you still looking for an alternative to move program files folder to another drive on Windows 10 OS? So, here we come up with an effective way to relocate program files to another drive. Follow this article, all the methods to move program files to another drive are discussed in a descriptive manner.”

Sometimes, a user finds an alternative to move program files and folders to another drive to free up space. If you have got a lot of applications and programs installed on your Windows 10 system, you might require to move them to different drive to free up space. It may also be needed to change your default install location. Mainly, all of these things are possible. Here, in this article, we are going to discuss appropriate techniques to move program files and folders to another drive. Basically, there are two situations you may need to move program files to another drive on Windows 10, 8, 7. The following circumstances are discussed below have a look:

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Scenarios to Move Program Files to Another Drive

There are mainly two circumstances to relocate program files to another drive. Both are mentioned below:

• Move Program Files Folder to Another Physical Disk

In this scenario, you usually have one physical hard drive. And you install your Windows on a smaller SSD. To get a much better experience, you may need to retain enough space of your SSD and move program files/folders to another physical disk.

• Move Program Files Folder to Another Drive on the Same Disk

As time goes on, users may install a large number of apps, software, and games on their computer. In general, the installed these apps, software and games will be installed on program files by default. To prevent low disk space warning, the user may be required to move program files to another larger drive and save the newly installed software to it instead of C drive.

After understanding the situation let’s move to the solution part for how can I move program files folder to another drive Windows 7, 8, 10.

Solutions to Move Program File Folder to Another Drive

Here, are two manual ways to perform the task to move program files to another drive. Both the workarounds are described in a descriptive manner. You can follow anyone one them step by step to get a better outcome.

1. Generate directory to move program files to different drive
2. Use Windows move feature to relocate program files to another drive

Method1: – Generate Directory Junction to Move Program Files to Another Drive

Perform the steps listed below and easily relocate program files to another drive in Windows 10, 8, 7 etc. Just follow the complete step as listed below:

Step 1: First of all, launch “File Explorer” and then browse to the root on the destination drive. Right-click and choose “New…” then “Folder” Add a name for the folder in which you will save program files on the disk.

Step 2: Now, open a new “File Explorer” wizard and browse to the source drive folder that consists the program files. Select the highlighted folder containing the program files that you need to move and press “Ctrl-C” to copy the folder. Then switch to the other File Explorer window and choose the folder you created and press “Ctrl-V” to paste the program files to the new drive.

Step 3: Here, select the other File Explorer window and click on to highlight folder containing the program files you moved, press “Delete” button and then “Yes” to confirm.

Step 4: Choose “File” on the ribbon and select “Open command prompt as admin” and confirm the user access control prompt.

Step 5: Than, type “mklink / j,” using the full drive letter and path of the old and new locations of the program files and press “Enter”.

Step 6: Lastly run the program to ensure it executes appropriately.

Note: – Find complete, step by step guide to know How to convert shortcut files and folders to normal files and folders. The robust solution explained in simple steps.

Method 2: Use Move Feature to Relocate Program Files to Another Drive

The Microsoft Windows also provides a Move feature to relocate program files and folders to a different drive. The complete step by step guide listed below:

Step 1: Click on “Windows” sign. It is usually at the bottom-left corner of the display. Most apps available on the Windows store can be moved with the help of this method.

Step 2: Now, click on “Settings” it should be near the bottom of the menu.

Step 3: Here, click on an option to Apps & Features.

Step 4: This opens a list of all installed apps.

Step 5: Than, select an app you need to move. Depending on the app, you may see various types of buttons appear under its name.

Step 6: Hit on “Move” a list of locations will appear. But, not all apps will have this option. If you do not see this button, you will not be able to use this method for the specified program.

Step 7: Opt a location on the new drive. And open the new drive and then choose a folder.

Step 8: At last click on “Move” the app and its data will now move to the new location properly.

Final Verdict

In this article, we have discussed the solution to move program files folder to another drive. Mainly, you have two methods for moving program files to another drive on Windows 10, 8, 7 etc. Simply perform the steps listed above and the solution for data recovery also mentioned.

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